Just a few ingredients and you can have them Chicken drumsticks from the slow cookers is waiting for you. Let the crockpot do all the work for tender, juicy and delicious chicken!
If you’re a crockpot fan, you should definitely try this super easy chicken drumsticks recipe. The slow cooker does all the work, all you have to do is season the chicken and let it cook for a few hours. These slow cooker chicken drumsticks stay super moist and tender, and the seasoning mix adds so much flavor!
You can mix the spices as you like. I chose Best Dry Rub which is universal for any meat and which I always have in my pantry. And garnished with barbecue sauce. However, you could keep it simple and just use salt and pepper.
Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Recipe
- Simply – I love a dinner that takes about 5 minutes to prepare and the rest is easy. All you have to do is toss the chicken with the spices and then fill the casserole. It does all the work so you can just bring back cooked drumsticks.
- Yummy – Smoked chicken drumsticks are one of my favorite dishes, but not everyone has a smoker or the time to deal with it. These drumsticks have so much of that flavor and you can make them any day of the year.
- Affordable – Drumsticks are probably one of the cheapest proteins on the market. They’re often on sale for $0.99 a pound, sometimes even less. So stock up on supplies and keep them in your freezer. Then you can make this recipe in no time at a very reasonable price.
what you will need
Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card for measurements and full instructions!
- chicken legs
- olive oil
- Dry rub or favorite spice mix
- barbecue sauce
I’ll include a small version of rub dry in the recipe card below, but feel free to use your favorite spice mix. You can use just some of the spices listed in the recipe below. You just want to give the meat that grilled flavor.
How to cook chicken drumsticks in the slow cooker
- season. Place the chicken thighs, olive oil, and dry grater in a large plastic bag. Seal and flip to evenly coat the chicken.
- Cook. Arrange the chicken in an even layer on the bottom of your Dutch oven. Pour barbecue sauce over. Put the lid on and cook on low for 4 hours.
- surcharge. Once the chicken is cooked, remove from the casserole, top with a little more barbecue sauce and serve.
yes they will work I don’t think they cook that evenly, but they do in a pinch. You may need to add 1-2 hours to the cooking time. It’s a little harder to hold onto the spices as they tend to fall off as they thaw. But if you need something last minute, it will definitely work.
Everyone loves a crispy skin, I get that! And you definitely miss that in the slow cooker. It is best to put them under the grill at the end. Once cooked, brush with sauce, place on a foil-lined baking pan and place under the broiler for 3-5 minutes, until crispy. Just keep an eye on them so they don’t burn.
recipe tips
- Get creative. If you like it spicy, add some cayenne pepper to the rub or use a spicy barbecue sauce. Do you like it sweet? Mix some honey with your sauce to give them that sweet and sticky flavor. There are many ways to customize it exactly how you want it!
- Leave the skin on. The skin really helps the chicken stay juicy and tender as it cooks. I think because chicken breasts are so lean, they tend to dry out in the slow cooker. But drumsticks work really well and don’t try it, the skin is one of the reasons!
- Likes it crispy? If you want a crispy skin, be sure to pop it under the grill for a few minutes at the end.
- Other chicken pieces. You can definitely follow this recipe with thighs, breasts, and even wings. Cooking times will vary slightly depending on size and bone content. But all are delicious.
What goes well with chicken drumsticks
This is a super easy meal that you can serve with almost anything! Here are some of my favorites.
preparation time
5 minutes
cooking time
4 hours
total time
4 hours 5 minutes
Ingredients
-
3 pounds chicken drumsticks
-
1 tablespoon olive oil
-
1/4 cup of your favorite dry rub or spice mix
-
1 cup barbecue sauce
Rub dry
-
1 tablespoon chili powder
-
1 tablespoon of salt
-
2 teaspoons of peppers
-
1 teaspoon of black pepper
-
1 teaspoon cumin
-
1 teaspoon garlic powder
-
1 teaspoon onion powder
-
A pinch of cayenne pepper
instructions
- When preparing the dry rub, place all the ingredients in a small bowl and mix everything together.
- Place the chicken, olive oil, and spice mixture in a large plastic bag. Seal and stir well to evenly coat the chicken.
- Arrange the chicken in a single, even layer on the bottom of the casserole dish. If you alternate the way you put them down, more will fit inside. Pour half a cup of barbecue sauce on top.
- Cook on low for about 4 hours.
- Remove chicken from casserole and toss with remaining barbecue sauce.
- Serve immediately.
Remarks
Best Dry Rub Recipe – I always have this in my pantry to spread on chicken, pork, turkey, beets, etc.
Nutritional Information
yield
4
serving size
1
amount per serving
calories 777total fat 34gSaturated Fatty Acids 9gtrans fats 0gunsaturated fat 21gcholesterol 432 mgsodium 1059 mgcarbohydrates 29gfiber 1gSugar 23gprotein 82g
Nutritional Disclaimer: All information presented on this website is for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on Dinnersdishesanddesserts.com should be used as a general guide only.
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